Wooden Flute News

2018-11-19 20:43

I have just posted two videos demonstrating Casey Burns’ Folk Flutes in which I play the Irish reel “Down the Broom.” You can view them on this page https://greylarsen.com/shop/product/folk-flute/ as well as on my YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcjQf9V3U75YsMfvMEGQMOg . I hope these may be helpful to anyone considering getting a very affordable and great playing Irish flute.
Watching and listening to these videos one after the other, one can compare the sounds of these two models. One has Casey’s Ergonomic Standard finger hole spacing, and the other his Ergonomic Small-Handed spacing. (He uses the term “Ergonomic” to indicate that some of the holes are slightly offset from the center line, as opposed to his “In-Line” option.)
Both are made of African blackwood. I think these are excellent instruments in the very affordable category of flutes ($450).
I have had a number of students with small or compromised hands. The Small-Handed Folk Flute model has made it possible for them to play comfortably, which is a great thing.
I’ve posted detailed hole measurement info at https://greylarsen.com/shop/product/folk-flute/ .

If you’re looking for a stocking stuffer this holiday season, you might consider my 4-CD set, "300 Gems of Irish Music for All Instruments." I’ve got a pile of them, and I’d like to get them out into the world. Hence the very low price of $4.99. Here’s the link:
http://greylarsen.com/webstore/holiday-cd-book-sale/
The CD set goes with the book of the same name, which features notation for all 300 tunes. All traditional, old tunes. My favorites.
All my books are all 20% off, too, and many CDs are $9.00. Autographs upon request.
Thank you!
- Grey

Presented by the Center for Irish Music, the Minnesota Irish Music Weekend is a unique festival that pairs world-class traditional Irish musicians and teachers with learners of all ages and abilities for a weekend of workshops, lectures, the Friday night Great Session Experience and a rare and virtuosic Saturday night concert featuring the visiting artists.
Visiting Artists:
Louise Mulcahy - flute, whistle, uilleann pipes
Michelle Mulcahy - harp, fiddle
Mick Mulcahy - accordion
Joanie Madden - tin whistle
Bridget Fitzgerald - song
Sean Clohessy - fiddle and piano
Each of the visiting artists is recognized for their musical mastery, and will offer insights and techniques to help learners tap into the deep roots of traditional Irish music.
For more information:
http://www.centerforirishmusic.org/mim/
or call:
(651) 815-0083

We're delighted to announce the 7th annual Minnesota Irish Music Weekend, which will be held from June 13-15, 2014, in St. Paul, MN.
Visiting artists:
Oisn Mac Diarmada - fiddle
Catherine McEvoy - flute, whistle
John McEvoy - fiddle
John Blake - guitar, piano, flute
Rita Gallagher – song
Presented by the Center for Irish Music, the Minnesota Irish Music Weekend is a unique festival that pairs world-class traditional Irish musicians and teachers with learners of all ages and abilities for a weekend of workshops, lectures, sessions, interviews with the artists about the stories behind the music, and a rare and virtuosic Saturday night concert featuring the visiting artists.
Individual tickets and package registrations are both available. Reduced hotel rates are provided, and Minneapolis/St. Paul is easily reached by a number of airlines.
For more information on programming, registration, artists, and logistics, go to http://www.centerforirishmusic.org/mim/
We hope you can join us!

I've been using Paul Mulvaney's Tutorial, changing my embouchure from a rather tight smile to a more relaxed bit of a frown and it has brought much joy to my low "D" and "E". I recently purchased a left-handed Copley & Boegli 6 keyed Blackwood and it is a very sweet and beautiful instrument. But it is a different animal from my old keyless knockoff (though I love my first flute). Paul's words were just the ticket to successful "sweet spot". Many thanks to Paul and "woodenflute.com" !! Art Costa - Putney, VT

The Center for Irish Music in St. Paul, MN, is pleased to announce the 6th annual Minnesota Irish Music Weekend, June 13-16, 2013. Special guests include:
Geraldine Cotter - tin whistle and piano;
Eamonn Cotter - flute;
Oisn McAuley - fiddle;
Eileen O'Brien - fiddle;
Meait J Shamuis – sean-ns song, uilleann pipes.
The Minnesota Irish Music Weekend pairs world-class traditional Irish musicians and teachers with learners of all ages and abilities for a weekend of workshops, lectures, and performances. More information is available at: http://www.centerforirishmusic.org/mim-2013/
The Center for Irish Music is a community music school dedicated to handing down traditional music and song to the next generation. Over the years, CIM has offered a vibrant program of classes and special events, including hosting internationally renowned musicians such as Randal Bays, Harry Bradley, Liz Carroll, Kevin Crawford, Dermy and Tara Diamond, Felix Dolan, Martin Hayes, Liz and Yvonne Kane, James Kelly, ine Meehaghan, Maighread N Dhomhnaill, Paddy O’Brien, Jesse Smith, Dith Sproule, and Fintan Vallely.

I was wondering if anybody could help me identify two wooden instruments found in an elderly lady's loft. My local woodwind specialist has no idea what they are.
I have joined the site in the hope that someone can help me.
I have taken lots of photos, but I haven't figured out how to up load the pictures to this site.
They are in bad need of repair and my long term aim is to learn to play them.
The first instrument is a similar to piccolo in size and has a sign key at the end. It seems to have a makers mark "Improved London B"
The second is larger and has no makers mark. It looks similar to the german 4 key flutes that I have seen whilst searching the internet. It is bad need of repair.
Any help would be much appreciated
You can get in touch with me at highlandpark@btinternet.com
Kind regards
Ruth

I'm starting a feature documentary on legendary flute maker Patrick Olwell, and though I'm donating my time and equipment for the next six months, I have to find a way to pay for travel to interview musicians like Matt Molloy and Seamus Egan. So I've put up a Kickstarter campaign, and starting today I'll have 30 days to meet my goal or else I don't get anything. So if you can share this link, or pass it on to folks who might be interested in the story, it would be a great help and really get this project off the ground.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1550984442/the-keymaster-patrick-olwell
For those who don't know me, I've been a professional musician for almost 25 years ( www.jemmoore.com ) and have recorded 15 albums, one of which (April Fool's Waltz) actually has Patrick playing on it. I left the folk scene in 2001 to pursue a career in aviation, and I am currently a Captain at Republic Airlines on the Embraer 190 jet. I started making films about three years ago ( www.descantproductions.com ) , and last year had a film I did for the Heartland Chamber Music Festival voted "Best Documentary" at the Music Educators of America conference.
I'm very excited to be working with Patrick on this project, preserving his story, and hearing the stories of the musicians he has inspired with his flutes. It's going to be a great project, I just need to get the word out and see if I can make it happen. I'll be joined in this effort by Blayne Chastain, founder of whistleanddrum.com and BlayneChastain.com where he offers flute and whistle lessons online. He is also involved in video production, and will bring an impressive set of skills and knowledge to the project.
Check out the Kickstarter page for a video explaining what's going on, and some more info about how we're going to do it. Thanks, and if you have any questions, please drop me an email anytime.... jemmoore@hotmail.com
Spread the word!

Have made piano/harpsichord accompaniments for one march, two songs and fifteen dance tunes. All Irish and in the original keys.
Anyone interested can drop me a line at
bartwijnen57@gmail.com and I'll be happy to send the pdf file.
Be well,
Bart

Hello there,
I am Rosario, I live in Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy. ..
Here I am now to invite you all at our Folk Festival: CaFl (Cagliari Fleadh). It is based mainly on workshops and courses . We do not want to have any big folk band (sorry no money for cachet), but we will have sessions, dances, gigs and some concert with extemporary "all stars" group and music from local bands.
It is about Irish, Sardinian, Spanish Folk music and dance and our irish teachers will be: Martin and Christine Dowling (Belfast, fiddle,whistle), DAVY MAGUIRE (Belfast, **irish flute**), Svend Kjeldsen (Limerick, bodhran) and Timmy McCarthy (Sliabh Luachra,dances.
On spanish side we have a great guitarist form Galicia: Fernando Barroso.
More we shall have a building workshop about "Sulittu" a sardinian flute of cane similar to the whistle...
The date are Easter 2011 from Friday 22nd to Monday 25th .
Cagliari is well connected with good cheap flights. And more we have a wonderful beach with warm water since april.
Thus, pls. come and visit our website to stay informed :
Thank you
Rosario

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